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This article was first published 13 years ago

Reader's pick: Movies that made you cry

Last updated on: March 7, 2011 12:59 IST

Image: Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots
Sukanya Verma in Mumbai

The greatest compliment a movie can receive is to make its viewer laugh, cry or sing along.

That a majority of them only succeed in upsetting us for being such a waste of time and money is another slide show.

We asked you, dear readers, to list the films that choked you with emotions owing to its poignant character or content. And here it is -- a list of the Top 10 films that made you cry.

10. 3 Idiots

While most of us had tears of uncontrolled laughter in our eyes following Vaidya's hilarious, innuendo-packed speech, others were especially moved by the emotional camaraderie shared by its titular characters and best friends.

In true Rajkumar Hirani style, 3 Idiots is brimming with sentimentality through Sharman Joshi's financial insecurity, R Madhavan's suppressed dreams or Aamir Khan's profound love for academics.

9. Swades

Image: A scene from Swades

A huge percentage of Indians settled abroad could relate with the dilemma and melancholy associated with the choices of Mohan Bhargav in Ashutosh Gowariker's pertinent interpretation of patriotism.

Shah Rukh Khan beats mushy favourites like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham with Swades, wherein he plays a NASA scientist willing to give up a lucrative job and lifestyle in USA to 'light a bulb' in his motherland, India.

8. Devdas

Image: Dilip Kumar in Devdas

Although only a couple of you specified which adaptation you're referring to, we'll assume you meant the Bimal Roy version.

There is plenty to brood about in Sarat ChandraChattopadhyay's novella about a depressed lover and his failed romance. And Dilip Kumar, rightly known as the King of Tragedy, portrays this ill-fated hero drowning his sorrows in alcohol and self-ruin with such awe-inspiring precision; it's impossible to stay unmoved.

7. Anjali

Image: A scene from Anjali

Everyone has a soft corner for children. Mani Ratnam's sensitive drama about a mentally challenged and terminally ill kid reiterates just that.

Anjali explores a young child's relationship with her slightly older siblings, how she wins the hearts of everyone she comes in contact with along with the strain her family undergoes on learning about her medical condition with enough spirit to engage, enthuse and tug the heartstrings.

6. Mother India

Image: A scene from Mother India

The trials and tribulations faced by Nargis as Radha in Mehboob Khan's epic elevate her to the grand stature of Mother India.

Masked in poverty and poor harvest, abandoned by her invalid husband, victim of attempted molestation, Radha rises above every adversity without compromising on her virtue or honor.

A final round of test comes with a heartrending finale when she's forced to choose between her son and her word.

5. Rang De Basanti

Image: A scene from Rang De Basanti

What starts out as a frolicsome exercise chronicling a bunch of closely-knit friends develops into something serious and sensational following the unexpected demise of one its key players.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti transports his viewer in a comfort zone only to jolt him/her by setting off a chain of hard-hitting sequences that conclude on excruciating note.

4. Guzaarish

Image: A scene from Guzaarish

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest trounces a substantial lot of kerchief capers to acquire a clearly high rating on the list. Guzaarish, which deals with a paraplegic magician requesting euthanasia, is a dramatic, fanciful, stylish depiction of an otherwise somber subject.

What makes it all work is Hrithik Roshan's superlative performance. The movie relies on the handsome star's expressive countenance and nervous baritone to articulate the despair, resignation and wry humour behind his words and, ironically, actions.

3. Anand

Image: A scene from Anand

Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand is exquisite on numerous levels writing,direction, performances, music but most of all emotions.

As the animated young man savoring every single moment of his fast diminishing life, Rajesh Khanna infuses Anand with irresistible energy and infectious charm. Amitabh 'Babumoshai' Bachchan as his genial doctor compliments this effervescence with just the right amount of stillness.

And that's why it hurts all the more to watch him go quiet on us until 'Babumoshai,zindagi ek rang manch hai aur hum sab is rang manch par kathputliyan hain. Humsabki dor upar wale ke haath mein hai. Kab kiski dor khich jaaye koi nahi jaanta.Ha-ha-ha- ha- ha.'

2. Taare Zameen Par

Image: A scene from Taare Zameen Par

Pretty much everyone in the audience bawled like a baby, identifying with Darsheel Safary's troubled, alienated Ishan, during some point of the critically-heralded Taare Zameen Par.

Aamir Khan's directorial debut sheds light on the challenges of dyslexia and parenting while portraying the delicate workings of a child's mind, creativity and imagination through Safary's brilliant, believable performance.

1. Sadma

Image: A scene from Sadma

Even after so many years, Balu Mahendra's Hindi remake of Tamil film, Moondram Pirai, commended for Sridevi and Kamal Haasan's terrific delivery, remains the number one tearjerker of all times.

Following an accident-triggered amnesia and autism, a young woman relies on a compassionate teacher's support and efforts to get better. Their precious bond, however, ends in an awfully tragic manner, as played out in the final scene at a railway station, with fate insistent on a cruel reversal of fortunes.